THE first local user-friendly website for persons with disabilities is being developed for the Abilities Foundation.

Managing director of the foundation, Wilbert Williams, said that visually impaired users would be able to enlarge the text on the new site to suit their requirement.

“If you have very high-resolution graphics, then this website will be comfortable for you,” he said, pointing out that the text could be adjusted at lower resolutions as well.

He said that the site was tested with one of the more popular speech reader programmes — Job Access With Speech (JAWS) — to ensure that it was responsive to any other speech programme. He said blind persons can use a speech programme that enunciated any key that was touched and read whatever graphics were highlighted.

Williams was highlighting developments at the Abilities Foundation for the 2001/2002 academic year, while speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Hilton Kingston Hotel last week.

The managing director also noted that the website would feature the foundation’s programmes and curriculum and would display various items made by students at the school. He added that the site would also promote national issues of concern to the disabled such as the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities.

Access to audio and audiovisual programmes, Williams noted, were prepared and edited by students at the foundation.

The website, which is now up and running, though still under construction, was developed by Jamaica Focus at a cost of $60,000. Jamaica Focus was also instrumental in training staff and students to update and maintain the web page.

The website can be accessed at www.abilitiesfoundation.org.